Immunohistochemistry of resorption and inflammation factors in the periodontal ligament of human deciduous teeth.

The understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in root resorption in deciduous teeth is important to the future development of preventive measures and treatments of this condition. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression and immunostaining of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG and RANKL in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of deciduous teeth with physiologic root resorption (GI), inflammatory pathological root resorption (GII) and permanent teeth (GIII), the negative control. Teeth in GI (n = 10), GII (n = 10) and (GIII) (n = 10) were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG, and RANKL. The immunostaining was analysed by optical density. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test (p < 0.05). The results showed that iNOS, MMP-9 and RANKL expression in the PDL was higher in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.05). Moreover, RANKL expression was higher in GI compared to GIII (p < 0.001), while OPG immunolabelling was lower in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.001). The PDL of deciduous teeth bearing inflammatory processed exhibited upregulation of resorption-associated factors as well as enzymes related to tissue degradation which, in turn explains the exacerbation and greater susceptibility of those teeth to root resorption process.

Immunohistochemistry of resorption and inflammation factors in the periodontal ligament of human deciduous teeth

Abstract: The understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in root resorption in deciduous teeth is important to the future development of preventive measures and treatments of this condition. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression and immunostaining of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG and RANKL in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of deciduous teeth with physiologic root resorption (GI), inflammatory pathological root resorption (GII) and permanent teeth (GIII), the negative control. Teeth in GI (n = 10), GII (n = 10) and (GIII) (n = 10) were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG, and RANKL. The immunostaining was analysed by optical density. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test (p < 0.05). The results showed that iNOS, MMP-9 and RANKL expression in the PDL was higher in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.05). Moreover, RANKL expression was higher in GI compared to GIII (p < 0.001), while OPG immunolabelling was lower in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.001). The PDL of deciduous teeth bearing inflammatory processed exhibited upregulation of resorption-associated factors as well as enzymes related to tissue degradation which, in turn explains the exacerbation and greater susceptibility of those teeth to root resorption process.

Funções estomatognáticas e queimaduras em face e/ou pescoço: revisão sistemática da literatura / Stomatognathic functions and face and neck burns: systematic review / Funciones estomatognáticas y quemaduras en cara y/o cuello: revisión sistemática de la literatura

Objetivo: Descrever as alterações nas funções do sistema estomatognático de indivíduos que sofreram queimaduras em face e/ou pescoço. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e busca manual, utilizandose os descritores: queimadura (burn), deglutição (deglutition), mastigação (mastigation), respiração (respiration), fala (speech), sucção (sucking, suction). Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 2008 e 2018 que descreveram funções estomatognáticas após queimaduras em face e/ou pescoço. Para análise, foram extraídas informações quanto ao número de participantes, sexo, idade, etiologia e grau da queimadura, superfície corporal queimada e características de funções estomatognáticas pós-queimadura. Resultados: Dos 377 artigos identificados nas bases de dados, oito foram selecionados. Além destes, três foram selecionados por meio de busca manual, totalizando a inclusão de 11 artigos. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo masculino, com idade entre dois e 85 anos. Foram descritas queimaduras com superfície corporal queimada entre cinco e 80%, de primeiro a terceiro grau, sendo a maioria queimadura térmica. Seis artigos descreveram alteração na deglutição, cinco relataram alteração na respiração, três na articulação da fala, dois na mastigação e dois referiram comprometimento da mímica facial. Nenhum citou alteração na sucção. Conclusão: As alterações no sistema estomatognático decorrentes de queimaduras em face e/ou pescoço mais descritas na literatura analisada foram relacionadas à deglutição e à respiração, especialmente devido a edema pós-queimadura e restrição de mobilidade causada por hipercicatrização. Alterações na fala, mastigação e mímica facial também foram observadas.

Objective: To describe the changes in the functions of the stomatognathic system of patients that suffered burns on the face and/or neck. Method: This is a systematic review of the literature. The search was performed through the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and manual search, using the descriptors: burn, swallowing, chewing, breathing, talking, sucking, and suction. We included the articles published between 2008 and 2018 that described stomatognathic functions observed after burns of face and/or neck. The number of participants, gender, age, etiology and degree of burn, burned body race and altered stomatognathic functions after burn were extracted by the analyses. Results: Of the 377 articles identified in the databases, 8 were selected. In addition, 3 were selected by manual search, resulting in 11 articles included. The majority of subjects were male, aged between 2 and 85 years. The body burn was performed in 5 and 80%, first of a third degree, being the majority thermal burns. Six articles describe changes in deglutition, five relate breathing impairment, three cited alteration in the articulation of speech, two in chewing and of facial expression. None cited change in sucking. Conclusion: Changes in the stomatognathic system after burn on the face and/or neck, according to the analyzed articles, where most frequently related to swallowing and breathing, especially due to post-burn edema and restriction of mobility due to hypercycatrization. Changes in speech, mastication and facial expression were observed too.

Objetivo: Describir los cambios en las funciones del sistema estomatognático de individuos que sufrieron quemaduras en cara y/o cuello. Método: Se trata de una revisión sistemática de la literatura. La búsqueda fue realizada por medio de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS) y búsqueda manual, utilizando los descriptores: quemadura(burn), deglución(deglutition), masticación(mastigation), respiración(respiration), habla(speech) y succión(sucking, suction). Se incluyeron los artículos publicados entre 2008 y 2018 que describieron funciones estomatognáticas después de quemaduras de cara y/o cuello. Para el análisis, fueron extraídos datos referentes al número de participantes, sexo, edad, etiología y grado de la quemadura, superficie corporal quemada ycaracterísticas de funciones estomatognáticas alteradas post-quemadura. Resultados: De los 377 artículos identificados en las bases de datos, 8 fueron seleccionados. Además, 3 fueron seleccionados por búsqueda manual, totalizando 11 artículos. La mayoría de los participantes eran del sexo masculino, con edad entre dos y 85 añoscon superficie corporal quemada entre cinco y 80%, entre primer a tercer grado, siendo la mayoría quemadura térmica. Seis artículos describieron alteraciones en la deglución, cinco problemas en la respiración, tres en la articulación del habla, dos en la masticación y dos refirieron comprometimiento de la mímica facial. Ninguna publicación citó alteración en la succión. Conclusión: Las alteraciones en el sistema estomatognático post-quemaduras de cara y/o cuello mas descritas en la literatura analizada, fueron relacionadas a la deglución y a la respiración, especialmente debido a edema post-quemadura y a restricción de movilidad por hipercicatrización. También se observaron alteraciones en el habla, masticación y mímica facial.

Analysis of Bone Repair and Inflammatory Process Caused by Simvastatin Combined With PLGA+HA+ßTCP Scaffold.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the tissue and inflammatory responses to the use of simvastatin and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) + hydroxyapatite + ß-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA+HA+ßTCP) scaffold for bone repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two defects of 5 mm in diameter were made in the calvaria of rats, which were shared into the following 6 groups: naive, sham, vehicle, PLGA+HA+ßTCP scaffold, simvastatin (4 mg/mL), and simvastatin with the scaffold. Tissue samples were collected at 1, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after surgery. Inflammation was evaluated by interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha quantification and by a hemogram, whereas bone repair was evaluated using densitometry and scanning electron microscopy. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA followed by post hoc tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: There was an increased cytokine expression in the scaffold and simvastatin groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) 1 day after surgery but no alterations on the hemogram were observed. It was found on bone tissue samples that 60 days after surgery all groups presented similar densitometry values and morphology characteristics, despite the occurrence of bone formation delay in the simvastatin group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The use of simvastatin and PLGA+HA+ßTCP scaffold, associated or not, did not lead to improvement in bone repair.

Study of the correlation between the linear measurements of the skull and face and palatal wide and length measures.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relation between the anthropometric linear measurements of the skull and face and the measurements of width and length of the hard palate. METHODS: Twenty-three human skulls were used, and the measurements were collected with the help of a caliper and pelvimeter. The following linear measurements were studied: maximum cranial length, biporion distance, maximum face width, nasal height, palatal length, and palatal width. RESULTS: After a complete descriptive assessment of the variables, we observed homogeneity in the measurements of the skull, face, and palate. There were correlations, with higher significance, between the palatal length and width and the maximum face width and the biporion distance, respectively. The biporion distance was the only measurement that was significant in the explanation, generating formulas to obtain the palatal length and width. CONCLUSION: It is possible to estimate the palatal length and the palatal width using the two models (formulas) through the measurements of the biporion distance. Because in the literature, there is no consensus, there is a need for standardization when obtaining the linear measurements of the palate.

Estudo da correlação entre as medidas lineares de crânio e face e as medidas de largura e comprimento palatino / Study of the correlation between the linear measurements of the skull and face and palatal wide and length measures

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre as medidas lineares antropométricas de crânio e face com as medidas de largura e comprimento do palato duro. Métodos: foram utilizados 23 crânios humanos e as medidas foram obtidas com o auxílio de um paquímetro e um pelvímetro. Foram mensuradas as seguintes medidas lineares: comprimento máximo do crânio, distância biporion, largura facial máxima, altura nasal, comprimento palatino e largura palatina. Resultados: Após a descritiva completa das variáveis, observou-se uma homogeneidade das medidas de crânio, face e palato. Houve correlação, com maior significância, do comprimento palatino e da largura palatina com a largura facial máxima e a distância biporion, respectivamente. A distância biporion foi a única medida que se mostrou significante na explicação, gerando fórmulas para a obtenção do comprimento e de largura palatina. Conclusão: É possível estimar o comprimento e a largura palatina por meio de dois modelos (fórmulas) por meio da medida da distância biporion. Como não existe consenso na literatura, há necessidade de padronização na obtenção das medidas lineares do palato.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the relation between the anthropometric linear measurements of the skull and face and the measurements of width and length of the hard palate. Methods: Twenty-three human skulls were used, and the measurements were collected with the help of a caliper and pelvimeter. The following linear measurements were studied: maximum cranial length, biporion distance, maximum face width, nasal height, palatal length, and palatal width. Results: After a complete descriptive assessment of the variables, we observed homogeneity in the measurements of the skull, face, and palate. There were correlations, with higher significance, between the palatal length and width and the maximum face width and the biporion distance, respectively. The biporion distance was the only measurement that was significant in the explanation, generating formulas to obtain the palatal length and width. Conclusion: It is possible to estimate the palatal length and the palatal width using the two models (formulas) through the measurements of the biporion distance. Because in the literature, there is no consensus, there is a need for standardization when obtaining the linear measurements of the palate.

Does methylmercury-induced hypercholesterolemia play a causal role in its neurotoxicity and cardiovascular disease?

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant that biomagnifies throughout the aquatic food chain, thus representing a toxicological concern for humans subsiding on fish for their dietary intake. Although the developing brain is considered the critical target organ of MeHg toxicity, recent evidence indicates that the cardiovascular system may be the most sensitive in adults. However, data on the mechanisms mediating MeHg-induced cardiovascular toxicity are scarce. Based on the close relationship between cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia, this study was designed to investigate the effects of long-term MeHg exposure on plasma lipid levels in mice, as well as their underlying mechanisms and potential relationships to MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. Our major finding was that long-term MeHg exposure induced dyslipidemia in rodents. Specifically, Swiss and C57BL/6 mice treated for 21 days with a drinking solution of MeHg (40 mg/l, ad libitum) diluted in tap water showed increased total and non-HDL plasma cholesterol levels. MeHg-induced hypercholesterolemia was also observed in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr⁻/⁻) mice, indicating that this effect was not related to decreased LDLr-mediated cholesterol transport from blood to other tissues. Although the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol was unchanged, significant signs of nephrotoxicity (glomerular shrinkage, tubular vacuolization, and changed urea levels) were observed in MeHg-exposed mice, indicating that the involvement of nephropathy in MeHg-induced lipid dyshomeostasis may not be ruled out. Notably, Probucol (a lipid-lowering drug) prevented the development of hypercholesterolemia when coadministered with MeHg. Finally, hypercholesterolemic LDLr⁻/⁻ mice were more susceptible to MeHg-induced cerebellar glial activation, suggesting that hypercholesterolemia in itself may pose a risk factor in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. Overall, based on the strong and graded positive association between total as well as LDL cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular diseases, our data support the concept of MeHg-induced cardiovascular toxicity.

The autoimmune nature of post-infarct myocardial healing: oral tolerance to cardiac antigens as a novel strategy to improve cardiac healing.

Following a myocardial infarction, lymphocytes have been suggested to react with the damaged heart tissue, which can impair proper tissue healing. In the present work, we investigate whether ingestion of a myocardial homogenate and the consequent development of immunological tolerance can modify the course of post-infarction myocardial repair. Infarction-like myocardial lesions were induced in Wistar rats by injecting high doses of isoproterenol. The healing process was evaluated morphologically and functionally for 60 days. Cardiac function was evaluated using isolated and perfused heart (Langendorff) preparations. At day 14 after isoproterenol treatment, lymphocytes from the mediastinal lymph nodes proliferated when exposed in vitro to myocardial homogenate. Moreover, TNF-α, IFN-γ and CCL-5, but not FOXP3+ expression, was increased in draining lymph nodes in isoproterenol-injured animals, indicating that the observed lymphocyte population that proliferated in response to cardiac components presented a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic profile. In contrast, lymphocytes from draining lymph nodes of rats given a heart homogenate by gavage 7 days before isoproterenol did not proliferate. Furthermore, the group rendered tolerant expressed cardiac FOXP3+ earlier than did the control group, and showed a milder inflammatory infiltrate, lower MMP-9 expression, less collagen deposition, and improved cardiac performance when compared to animals that received only isoproterenol administration. The present findings suggest that the establishment of oral tolerance to heart components prior to myocardial infarction may drive the cardiac healing process to proceed with less inflammation and fibrosis, thus preserving contractile organ function.

Effects of traumatic brain injury of different severities on emotional, cognitive, and oxidative stress-related parameters in mice.

Cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders are significant sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Animal models have been widely employed in TBI research, but few studies have addressed the effects of experimental TBI of different severities on emotional and cognitive parameters. In this study, mice were subjected to weight-drop TBI to induce mild, intermediate, or severe TBI. After neurological assessment, the mice recovered for 10 days, and were then subjected to a battery of behavioral tests, which included open-field, elevated plus-maze, forced swimming, tail suspension, and step-down inhibitory avoidance tests. Oxidative stress-related parameters (nonprotein thiols [NPSH], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], glutathione reductase [GR], and thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS]) were quantified in the cortex and hippocampus at 2 and 24 h and 14 days after TBI, and histopathological analysis was performed 15 days after TBI. Mice subjected to mild TBI showed increased anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, while intermediate and severe TBI induced robust memory deficits. The severe TBI group also displayed increased locomotor activity. Intermediate and severe TBI caused extensive macroscopic and microscopic brain damage, while mild TBI typically had no histological abnormalities. Moreover, a significant increase in TBARS in the ipsilateral cortex and GPx in the ipsilateral hippocampus was observed at 24 h and 14 days, respectively, following intermediate TBI. The current experimental TBI model induced emotional and cognitive changes comparable to sequelae seen in human TBI, and it might therefore represent a useful approach to the study of mechanisms of and new treatments for TBI and related disorders.

Effects of somatostatin, LHRH and TGF-(alpha) on epithelial cell proliferation in fetal stomach maintained in organ culture

An organ culture technique was used to examine the effects of somatostatin, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha) on epithelial cell proliferation in rat fetal stomach. The explants were obtained from 20-day rat fetuses and were maintained in organ culture for 24 h. Half of the culture dishes were supplemented with 10 percent fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cell proliferation was assessed using the metaphasic index. Light and electron microscopy showed that the explants could be mainteined in good condition, independent of the FBS or hormone treatment. Re-epithelialization occurred at the edges of the fragments. The addition of 10 percent FBS was not advantageous for evaluation cell proliferation in this organ culture system. The low metaphasic index showed that somatostatin and LHRH significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 24 h of treatment. In contrast, TGF-alpha had a mitogenic effect on fetal gastric mucosa and prevented glandular degeneration. These results corroborate our previous studies in vivo and provide direct evidence of the influence of hormonal and growth factors on gastric mucosa during fetal development.

Histomorfometria dos testículos de ratos albinos normais em várias idades / Histomorphometry of normal albino rats testes, in different ages

Foi realizado, ao microscópio óptico comum, estudo histomorfométrico comparativo de testículos de ratos albinos normais, em várias idades, na fase pós-natal, desde a imaturidade até a idade adulta. Efetuaram-se medidas de peso dos testículos, e calcularam-se os volumes totais dos testículos, dos túbulos seminíferos de cada testículo bem como do tecido intersticial. As lâminas, contendo as secçöes tansversais das gônadas masculinas, preparadas segundo os procedimentos normais de inclusäo em parafina, foram coradas utilizando-se o método do Acido Periódico-Schiff (PAS) e da Hematoxilina de Harris. Optou-se por esta técnica por ser aquela que melhor evidencia as fases da espermiogênese. Os resultados mostraram que animais com 15 dias de idade apresentam testículos contendo túbulos seminíferos cujo epitélio compöe-se, principalmente, de células de Sertoli e de espermatogônias, em grande parte indiferenciadas. A partir dos 30 dias de idade observaram-se, nos túbulos seminíferos, espermátides nas fases precoses da espermiogênese, com características bem evidentes, porém em frequência baixa. Formaçöes binucleadas e multinucleadas de espermátides foram encontradas nos testículos de ratos imaturos normais